A Time to Forcefully Speak the Truth in Love

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…
— Jude 1:23

What does the Bible say about how we should respond to believers who continue to practice sin? If you are personally aware of individuals like this, what steps or action should you take to rescue him or her?

What attitude does God expect you to have regarding these people’s sin?
What kind of action does God expect you to take to see them delivered?
What approach should you take regarding the sin they are living in?
What is the proper outlook for you to have concerning their situation?

The answer to these questions is found in Jude 1:23. In this verse, Jude compellingly tells us, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire….”

First of all, Jude tells us to “save [them] with fear.” This word “fear” is the Greek word phobos. It suggests a fear or a strong dose of respect for something that is life-threatening, dangerous, or alarming. Because Jude uses this key Greek word, it tells us what kind of attitude we should have regarding sin. Sin is dangerous, alarming, and even life-threatening to a person’s spiritual life. Therefore, sin must not be tolerated, nor should the effects of sin be watered down. In short, we should have no stomach for sin.

Next, Jude 1:23 tells us what action we must take when we find a fellow believer who is getting caught up in sin. This verse tells us that we must act fast to “pull them out of the fire.” The word “pull” comes from the Greek word harpadzo. This is an extremely strong and aggressive word that presents the picture of snatching someone out of a dangerous situation. In fact, it would be better translated to seize.

The word harpadzo is the very word used in Colossians 1:13 when Paul writes, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son.” That word “delivered” is also from the Greek word harpadzo.

In Colossians 1:13, this word portrays that moment when Jesus Christ broke Satan’s power over our lives and snatched us out of the kingdom of darkness. One Greek expositor says the word harpadzo in Colossians 1:13 carries this idea: “He grabbed us by the back of our necks and snatched us out of danger, just in the nick of time.…” This Greek word harpadzo contains passion, fervency, urgency, and action.

Because these words are used in Jude 1:23, it could be translated:

“Because of the alarmingly dangerous state that some believers are in, I urge you to take immediate and fast-acting measures to see them delivered and rescued. And if they don’t quickly respond, don’t stop! You need to keep up your sense of urgency until you are convinced that they are rescued and snatched out of the fires of destruction. If you must, go all the way to grab them by the back of their necks and jerk them out of those flames.…”

Jude uses the word harpadzo to tell you that sometimes people are so deceived about what they’re doing, they don’t want to change. Even if you tell them that they are headed for trouble, they may not believe it! In these cases, your sweet words and tender pleading with them may not work. That means you may have to get forceful in the way you tell these people the truth. Your words must reach out and seize their hearts.

Think back for a minute to Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Lot got so caught up in the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah that when the angels told him the two cities were about to be destroyed, he wanted to stay anyway! The angels had to take him by the hand and make him leave! They had to forcibly remove him from that situation; otherwise, he would have been destroyed. The angels literally dragged Lot out of the city against his will (Genesis 19:16).

Likewise, we must do everything within our power to snatch people from spiritually dangerous predicaments. Although they may not feel the heat of the fire at the moment or realize the seriousness of their spiritual condition, we must speak forcefully and truthfully to them in order to seize their hearts and set them free.

We’re not in the business of kidnapping people or taking them out of situations against their will. But we are to pray for fellow believers who are caught in sin and don’t realize the dangerous nature of their situation. We must also go to them and do all we can to “pull them out of the fires” of destruction they’re about to release into their lives.

If you know someone who is drifting away from his relationship with the Lord, pray for a door to open that will allow you to speak the truth in love and pull him out of impending destruction. Just think about it — if you were the one about to make a major spiritual error, wouldn’t you want your true friends to speak the truth in love to you? So believe God for an open door. He’ll show you how and when to speak the truth.

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I ask You to give me Your heart for brothers and sisters who are living in sin. Forgive me for the times I have been insensitive to the dangerous nature of sin. Help me to be passionate and fervent in prayer for them and to keep praying for them until their deliverance is complete and they are fully restored. Help me consider the way I would want others to pray for me if I were in the same situation.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I will do everything within my power to snatch people from spiritually dangerous predicaments. Although they may not feel the heat of the fire at the moment or realize the seriousness of their spiritual condition, I will obey the Word of God and speak truthfully to them in order to seize their hearts and set them free. I believe that God will open a door and show me how and when I am to speak the truth.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Is there anyone in your life right now who comes to mind as someone who is in danger of being consumed in the “fire” of sin?

2. Realizing the seriousness of sin and deception, how would you want someone to confront you if you were in that person’s situation?

3. In what ways could God use you to bring the truth in love to this person in order to set him or her free?

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
— Revelation 2:10

Today I want to speak to people who feel that they are facing circumstances that are beyond their control. That may even be you. If you are in the midst of a very difficult situation, hopelessness and fear may have tried to wrap its tentacles around you and drain you of the personal fortitude you need to stay in the battle. But I want to tell you the truth: Every person has faced something fearful at some point in his or her life. If you are feeling this way, I want to encourage you to stay faithful to the very end, because victory lies at the end of the battle you are facing right now.

It’s so important to learn how to respond to a crisis, because the one you’re facing right now is not the last one you’re going to face in life. It’s naïve to think that the devil is just going to lie down and watch you flow from one victory to the next. He does not want you to succeed at fulfilling the will of God for your life. You will always have another opportunity to be tested. That’s why you have to make the decision before it happens that you are never going to quit, throw in the towel, or bend to circumstances. You are required to have a determined mindset that says, It doesn’t matter what happens to me or what the devil says. I am going to do what God called me to do.

To be victorious we must decide that we will not budge in our commitment, regardless of the price that is to be paid. Any other attitude will lead to compromise, and compromise leads to failure, and failure leads to defeat. We must decide that we are committed to the end — even if, as Revelation 2:10 says, “the end” means that we must be “faithful unto death”!

We must not forget that many people in previous generations, as well as many people right now on this earth, are facing crushing circumstances every day that seem to be beyond their control. That was true of the believers in the church at Smyrna, one of the seven churches that Jesus addressed in Revelation 2 and 3. They were under a constant onslaught of persecution, and Christ was aware of the situation they were facing — just as He is aware of what you are facing today.

Jesus knew that the believers in Smyrna refused to throw in the towel and to surrender to the hostile forces that were arrayed against them. Aware of their steadfastness and the possible troubles that still awaited them, Christ urged them, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death….”

Christ did not give them a false hope. He saw what lay before them and warned them honestly that pressures against them were far from over. But in spite of the fact that they were facing more persecution, imprisonment, and possible death, Christ said, “Be thou faithful unto death….” Let’s examine those words today and see what we can extract from them that will encourage us in our own challenging situations.

The words “be thou” are a translation of the Greek word ginou, a form of the word ginomai, which describes a process of becoming. Thus, the phrase “be thou faithful” could literally be interpreted “become faithful” or “keep on becoming faithful.” Thus, the idea conveyed in this verse could read, “…Give it your best effort, putting all your energies into the goal of progressively becoming more and more faithful….”

The word “faithful” is the Greek word pistos, which is the most common New Testament word for faith. It conveys the idea of people who are faithful, reliable, loyal, and steadfast. No matter what assails them or how hot the fires of persecution blaze, these believers were to remain unwavering in their commitment to Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus was requiring His people to remain devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated, constant, and unwavering, even in the face of the worst circumstances imaginable. Breaking their commitment to Him under the weight of external pressures, no matter how extreme, was not an acceptable option.

The word “unto” is archi, which means unto, up to, or including. In other words, these believers were never to renege on their commitment to Christ. This divine call to commitment — regardless of the price that had to be paid — was so serious that, if necessary, Christ expected them to be faithful unto, up to, or even including death itself.

A faith that remains steadfast only when times are good is unacceptable.

The Savior endured the Cross in order to experience His resurrection and exaltation — and now He calls on you and me to endure to the end. Just as the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to run His race to the end, the Spirit of God will enable us to endure any affliction, hardship, pressure, problem, trial, or tribulation we encounter as we prove the authenticity and sincerity of our faith. When the battle is finished, like Christ, we will experience resurrection and exaltation!

We are called to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, regardless of the price we are required to pay. That may not be pleasant to consider, but it is a fact nonetheless. Scripture never teaches that we are to draw back from our faith when hardships approach. Rather, Jesus asks for our commitment and faithfulness, even unto the point of death, if that’s what is required as a part of our journey in Him.

Believers who live in parts of the world that are hostile to the Christian faith understand this type of commitment very well. Those who have come to Christ in a non-hostile environment often don’t comprehend the life-and-death type of commitment others have been required to make. Yet throughout the centuries of Church history, Christians have often given their very lives for what they believed. And this isn’t just a past reality. It is a statistical fact that in the past century, more believers died for their faith than in all the previous centuries of accumulated Christian history combined. Believers have suffered “unto death” for Jesus’ sake in the past, and they still are doing so today.

The word “death” in this verse is the Greek word thanatos, which is a word that is used more than 120 times in the New Testament. It describes the physical state of death or extinction of life. But in the New Testament, it also depicts a mortal danger, a dangerous circumstance, or something that is fatal. In the Roman legal system, it described the death penalty.

Jesus had already foretold the church of Smyrna that they would be falsely accused, thrown into prison, and intensely tested by the devil. In addition, He forewarned them in a most straightforward manner that mortal dangers were coming — and that for many who faithfully followed Christ, the danger would prove to be fatal. For these believers, a death penalty would be issued against them and carried out with great cruelty. Yet regardless of what they might have to endure, Christ urged them to “be faithful unto death.”

Very few, if any, of those who ever read this Sparkling Gem will be required to make a commitment that requires their death. But regardless, that is the level of the actual commitment that

Jesus Christ is asking each one of us to make. If we make the commitment to be faithful to the end — regardless of the price that must be paid — being defeated will simply not be an option.

Oh, my friend, I want to remind you that God has great plans for you. So rather than look at your dire situation today and think that there is no way out, ask God to open your eyes to see the opportunity in the midst of the crisis. Every crisis holds opportunity. When the world screams and rails against you, it is temporary. If you push it all aside and endure to the end, you will receive the ultimate reward.

You and I must ask the Lord to help us see each situation as He sees it. When Jesus died, God didn’t accept the thinking of the vast majority who said, “Jesus is dead. It’s over. It’s finished.” Instead, God saw an opportunity for resurrection! Oh, that He would give us His eyes so we can see how He sees!

Your best days are not behind you — they are before you! But for you to reach a glorious conclusion, it requires a rock-solid decision on your part. From this moment on and for the rest of your life, you must choose to be “faithful unto death” to the One you call your Lord and Savior. You must set your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, and determine that you will never look back again. Every moment that you live and breathe is all for Him — to the very end of this life and on into the ages to come!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, You are asking every believer for a higher level of commitment than we’ve ever made before. Today I understand that You are asking me personally for commitment of the highest magnitude — just as Jesus displayed a commitment of the highest magnitude to You, Father, in my behalf. Through that great sacrifice of Himself, I am now more than a conqueror through Him who loved me and washed me from sin in His own blood. Therefore, I do not fear death, but I joyfully commit my life unto You, Lord, knowing that I will not be able to be defeated because resurrection and exaltation await those who are faithful even unto death. So today I ask You to help me rise to a higher place of commitment so I can be faithful to the very end.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am committed to do what God has called me to do. Regardless of the forces that are arrayed against me, I will endure to the end and receive an eternal reward — a crown of life presented to the faithful who stand before the Lord on that day when we give an account of what we’ve done. I will not only be rewarded in Heaven so I can have a crown to lay at Christ’s feet on that day, but also I will taste victory here on earth. My best days are not behind me — they are before me! I declare that I am committed to the very end. Therefore, I reach a glorious conclusion because faith, confidence, and boldness arise in me! I fear no evil because the love of God in me and toward me drives out all fear!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

Are you feeling tempted to fear right now? What are you doing to combat that spirit of fear and to command it to leave you? I encourage you to open your heart to someone who knows how to pray and to ask them to pray with you for courage and
What does remaining faithful “until the end” mean to you personally? Can you recall past experiences where you thought you wouldn’t make it, but because you were committed to do what God asked you to do, you ended up seeing great victory in your life? What is the last time you experienced this? How many times have you seen obstacles move out of the way and victory move into place in your life?

…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before….
— Philippians 3:13

Well, today one year is closing, and another year is about to begin. Is your year ending the way you prayed it would? Or do you need to make alterations in your heart quickly to get back on track with what God wants to do in your life so you can start the next year right?

Many times as I’ve come close to the end of a calendar year, I’ve wondered if I was going to accomplish everything I sensed the Lord instructing me to do in that year. But if it’s too late to do what you should have done this year, it’s time for you to forget those things that are behind and to reach forth unto the things that are before you (see Philippians 3:13). The word “forget” in this verse is the Greek word epilanthanomai, which depicts something that is done with, accomplished, and no longer an issue before you. The word “behind” is the word opiso, which describes something that no longer has relevance in your life. It is old, antiquated, outdated, and no long applicable.

Rather than focus on things of the past that no longer have relevance in your life, it’s time for you to “reach forth” unto those things that are before you. The words “reach forth” are translated from the Greek word epikteinomai, and it pictures a runner in a race — running with every ounce of strength he can muster to get around that final bend in the stadium one last time and finish as the winner! His whole body and eyes are fastened on that goal as he leans forward and runs with all his might to break through that finish line.

Today is your last day to make wrongs right and to do things that you know you ought to do. This year is closing in a mere matter of minutes or hours. But before you is a glorious new beginning! The Holy Spirit wants to divinely energize you to run your race in the new year with your eyes and your whole being fixed on the goal. It may be challenging, but if you’ll surrender to the Holy Spirit’s control, He’ll take you where you never could have gone by yourself!

When you lay your head on your pillow tonight and say farewell to this year, make sure that you also welcome the new year with faith, confidence, and commitment that in this new year you will accomplish every dream, goal, and desire that God has put in your heart to accomplish over the next 12 months!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, this has been an awesome year in which You have taught me so much. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for every challenge You’ve helped me overcome and for every lesson You’ve taught me that has helped mold me more to the image of Jesus Christ. I am simply filled with gratitude that You have done so much in my heart during this year — and I believe that the next year will be even richer and fuller than the one I am presently completing. As I reach the finish line of this year, I forget what is behind me, and I reach for what is ahead. For all of this, I give You thanks!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly declare that the year before me will be the best year I’ve ever known in my life thus far. The Holy Spirit is energizing me — and He will help me run my race better than I’ve ever run it before. I say no distractions or obstacles will stop me — and that I will run until I reach the finish line! Jesus has already laid out the race before me — I only need to jump up, give it my best shot with the Spirit’s power, and finish everything God wants me to achieve in this new year!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

Is it too late — have you run out of time to do what you were supposed to do? What could you have done differently to produce a more fruitful outcome? Write down what you should have done and what you could have done better to achieve your goals and dreams. Then repent and forget the guilt of it. The past is over, irrelevant, and no longer an issue before you. Ask the Lord to help you accomplish old responsibilities in a new way by the grace and mercy that are freshly available to you today!
Before you is a glorious new beginning! Have you consulted the Holy Spirit to find out what He wants you to know about the race set before you in the new year? If you make the decision now to yield to the Holy Spirit’s direction at every turn, He will take you where you never could have gone by yourself!
Have you written down the ways you want to use your faith to be a bigger blessing to the Kingdom of God in the coming year? In what way can you better serve your pastor and your church? What are the steps you need to take to be a stronger spiritual influence for God in the lives of your family and friends? What do you need to do to be a brighter light and better representative of Christ to the lost? When you lay your head on your pillow tonight, say farewell to this year, and welcome the new year with faith, confidence, and a commitment to glorify God as never before.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which
hath begun a good work in you will perform
it until the day of Jesus Christ.
— Philippians 1:6

I have no doubt that there are a few things I need to wrap up before the year ends. It has been a good year — very productive and full of good fruits. I am so thankful for this — yet I know there are still some things that the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish in my life before the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins. The new year is just two days away — so it means I must intensely focus on what the Holy Spirit desires to get done before this year ends.

Just as has been true every year, this past year has been a year of both challenges and victory. But I want the year to end in total victory by allowing the Spirit of God to inwardly finish what He has started in me at the first of this year. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

The word “confident” is the Greek word peitho, and it means to be sure, to be certain, and to have absolute conviction. I don’t know about you, but the Holy Spirit has been working fervently in my heart all year, and I have absolute conviction that He is going to finish what He started. Do you have that same conviction concerning your own life?

What does the Holy Spirit want to accomplish in your life in the next two days? You might say, “Two days is too short a period of time!” But nothing is impossible when the Holy Spirit has a willing vessel who is willing to cooperate with Him. If you are willing, the Holy Spirit can accomplish anything in you — even in two days before the year ends. Then you can start the new year fresh and ready for what God wants to do in the next year, with nothing trailing behind you from the year before. Don’t let yourself drag anything negative from this year into next year! The Holy Spirit’s power is available to do a fresh, quick work of grace in your life. He wants to set you free and get you ready for a brand-new start!

In the first seven devotionals in this book (January 1-7) I challenged you with certain goals the Holy Spirit may want you to focus on in the ensuing 12 months. I want to encourage you to skim those seven days and see if you have allowed the Spirit of God to do what He wanted to do in those areas of your life. If not, this is a good time to seek forgiveness and cleansing — and to move into the new year with a fresh sense of faith and courage to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work He desires to do in you in the coming 12 months.

I’ll honestly tell you that one of my goals for this year was to finish and publish the book you hold in your hands. It required a great level of commitment and fortitude to accomplish this goal. But I knew it was the will of God, so I set my heart to accomplish it. And with the Holy Spirit’s help, it has been done according to the plan.

Knowing God’s plan — and operating according to that — is so essential for living effectively for Him. If you don’t know the Lord’s will for the next year of your life, the Holy Spirit wants to help you know it, so ask Him to show you. As I’ve already noted, the Holy Spirit will work fervently in you to finish what He has started. Philippians 1:6 assures us that this is true: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Just stop a moment to consider that promise! God begins the good work in you, and then He performs it. From start to finish, it’s His grace that enables you to accomplish what you need to do before the clock strikes midnight on December 31. So don’t say it’s too late, because it’s never too late to address those issues the Holy Spirit has been talking to you about. If nothing else, get started in this new calendar year — and His power will help you quickly get the victory.

I am praying for you today. God has wonderful things in store for you. He simply needs your cooperation, and His supernatural power will quickly do what otherwise would take a long time to do. So throw open your arms and say, “Holy Spirit, I am ready to cooperate with You! Do quickly in my life what only You can do, and show me what my part is so I can do what You want me to do!”|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, the race for this year is almost over, but it’s not too late for me to come out a winner by faith in every area of my life. I surrender every obstacle that has hindered me as a result of my own thoughts and actions. I ask You to supernaturally quicken me so I can achieve the goals You desire to perform in me. I am absolutely convinced that You will perform this work in me and that You’ll keep doing it until the day of Jesus Christ!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God’s power is working inside me — and He will quickly do those things He has wanted to accomplish in my life this past year. My wrong choices may have hindered them from being done earlier. But right now, I choose to cooperate with the will and the power of God to see His plan for me accelerated and accomplished because of my obedience. According to Philippians 1:6, I am absolutely sure and completely persuaded that God is doing His work in me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

What internal changes do you need to wrap up before the clock strikes midnight on December 31? The Holy Spirit can quickly do what you could never do on your o Why not write down the changes you desire to make today and release your faith for a quick work to be done?
Do you have relationships that need to be mended and healed before the end of this year? If so, you know that restoration is possible through the power of the Holy S Ask Him to help you to know how to approach that person, how to apologize, and how to make amends. He will show you what to do.
Do you owe a debt to someone that you should have taken care of this year but failed to do so? Has that unpaid debt grieved you and hurt the person to whom you owe the debt? Why don’t you humble yourself, make a phone call, sincerely apologize, and get on the path toward making things right with that person?

…I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
— Philippians 3:8

I had always heard of house-hoarders — that is, people who hoarded belongings until they had so much “stuff” in their houses that they had to walk on top of it all or forge little trails to get through the maze. I even watched a TV program about hoarders, and I was horrified that anyone could live with so much garbage in his or her home.

Watching this hoarding experience on TV was mind-boggling to me. But then a relative needed help moving from her home to a new house. When I walked into the old house, I was stunned by what I saw. It was exactly what I had seen on the television program, if not worse. There were piles, piles, and more piles of goods that still had original tags on them, plus ceramic items that were stacked high on shelves. The wallpaper was falling off the walls, and there was a huge nest of mud daubers living in the corner of the living room! The only way to get from one part of the house to the next was to walk a tiny little corridor that had been left between the mounds of trash that had accumulated over the years. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that a human being could live in such squalor.

The outside of this relative’s house was no better. Rather than throw away old magazines, she had stacked them high, one on top of another — and they were rotting into a “wall” of magazines that surrounded part of her property like a barricade. It was truly beyond anything I had ever witnessed.

Hoarding. That’s exactly what this dear relative had been doing — just like the hoarders I’d seen on TV. Only now it was my job to remove it all so that the house could be put on the market. Honestly, it would have been easier to bulldoze the house and start all over than to try to get the old one back into shape. I had never seen anything like it.

Some people’s spiritual lives are like that. Rather than deal with issues and keep their lives clean and clear, the spiritual rubbish just keeps building up, deeper and deeper, until it seems almost impossible for them to clean up and put themselves back into working order. They have so many piles of unforgiveness, bitterness, and other forms of spiritual garbage that they can barely make it from one room to the next in their “house.”

When people hoard — or refuse to let go of — things like fear, doubt, jealousy, bitterness, and envy, their spiritual lives become a mess! Their lives can eventually be compared to those houses we see on TV in which the wallpaper is falling off the walls, the electricity doesn’t work right, the sink in the kitchen is a slimy, wretched mess, and rodents and all kinds of other pests live in the midst — right along with the person who lives there with them!

When I saw this unbelievable mess at our relative’s home — something I truly thought only existed in fantasy TV programs — I was speechless. There is no way a person can be healthy in his or her mind and emotions, and think that way of living is acceptable. It brought my mind to Philippians 3:8, where Paul uses the word “dung” to describe his life before Christ. He says, “…I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

The word “dung” is the word skubalon, and it is the word for refuse. To be more pointed, it refers to things like a half-eaten corpse, filth, lumps of manure or human excrement, or food thrown away from the table and then left lying around, piled up on the floor as it rots. Skubalon would be a sickening sight that would tend to make one want to vomit.

When I saw how our relative was living in such chaos and squalor, I realized that it is impossible to live a normal life under such wretched circumstances. And when Paul used the word skubalon, which depicts this very type of scene, he was admitting that all he had done before he came to Christ was nothing more than a skubalon pile of rubbish; it was spiritual defilement. That may sound harsh to say, but that is precisely the word that the apostle Paul used to describe his life before He came to Christ. In the end — after Paul came to a saving knowledge of Jesus — he recognized that his entire life until that time had all been rubbish, with nothing worth saving. But after Paul came to Christ, he was set free from the spiritual garbage of his past and his life was cleansed and set apart to be used of the Lord.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to ask you: Are you living in spiritual squalor — or are you abiding in a lifestyle that gives glory to Jesus Christ? Many people pile up grief, resentment, bitterness, and other things that block their ability to function normally for the Lord. What about you? Are things as they ought to be in your spiritual life? It’s something for you to really think about today!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I confess that there is spiritual trash in my life — and I’ve just tolerated it and let it grow deeper and deeper. Help me recognize it for what it is and begin the process of removing it from my life. You can’t use me as You wish if I’m surrounded by piles of squalor. So I ask You to help me, Holy Spirit, as I start the cleanup process so I can function freely and clearly when You have a job for me to do!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I’ve been a spiritual hoarder — letting things build up in my life that hindered my effectiveness. I repent before the Lord for letting this buildup of spiritual refuse take hold in my life. If I’m going to be used mightily of Him, I have to keep my heart and soul clean, so today I commit to making this a serious endeavor in my life.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

Can you think of areas where you’ve allowed yourself to hoard attitudes that are unproductive to your spiritual life? If yes, what are you going to do to start changing this mess in your life?
To be honest, when hoarding has already begun, it takes a very serious commitment to bring things back into order. Are you willing to make the kind of commitment that is required to bring order back into your spiritual life? God will help you, but you must turn and commit your way to Him.
What is the area in your life that gives you the most trouble in discarding spiritual “refuse” that isn’t good for you? Can you name it?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
— 1 John 1:9

I have spent the whole month of December recalling personal experiences surrounding Christmas from my childhood and exhorting you in the Word of God from those personal memories. But now it’s time to take inventory of this past year: what you accomplished that you promised yourself you would do — and what you didn’t accomplish. As you take inventory, you may find that you’ve made some progress but are still “in process” on some of the things you had promised you’d do this year. And, honestly, you may find that you need to ask God for forgiveness for not responding to things the Holy Spirit had prompted you earlier to change during this year.

Each year at a meeting that kicks off our New Year’s holiday, our Moscow team gathers for a wonderful afternoon celebration together, where we rejoice over the victories of the past year and share our vision for the upcoming year. Over the years, we also developed a tradition of handing out paper and envelopes — and we ask people to write down what they want God to do in their lives in the upcoming year. We’ve done this for so many years that everyone now comes prepared for what he or she is going to write on that piece of paper.

After the team members write down their goals, they insert that piece of paper into the envelope. I stand before all of our employees with my hands laid on those envelopes, and as a group, we pray over them. Afterward, all the envelopes are placed in a “safe” where they are not touched for a year — until the next New Year’s team celebration.

When we all gather the following year to celebrate, we take the envelopes out of the safe and redistribute them to those whose names are written on them. People quickly tear them open to see if they fulfilled what they believed God had told them to do a year earlier — or if they had fallen short of those goals. Often we hear praise reports of fulfilled victories; at other times people recognize that they are still in the process of fulfilling what they had written down. Some have to conclude that they wrote down hopes and dreams that were yet to be fulfilled.

I’ll be honest and tell you that for years, I wrote on my concealed piece of paper the goal of building a permanent home for our Moscow church. Year after year, I wrote it again, again, and again — never giving up on my confident expectation and my faith that God would enable us to actually own a permanent property for our church.

Like everyone else on our team, each year when envelopes are redistributed, Denise and I receive ours and open them to read what we wrote the year before. After the year-end celebration is finished, Denise and I have often gone to dinner by ourselves, where we share what we wrote down the previous year. Then we share with each other what was accomplished; what is in the process of being fulfilled; or even at times what we totally failed to do. It is a time when we hold ourselves accountable to the Lord and to each other. Sometimes it’s been a time of rejoicing. Other years we’ve repented for failing in major areas that God had dealt with us about. If we had a major victory — if something we wrote down the year before came to pass — we are certain to rejoice and give thanks to God!

This time of personal inventory has become very important to us, not only as a married couple, but also as a ministry. It is a time of accountability before the Lord for us all.

This leads me to ask you about your past 12 months. Have you fulfilled the promises you made to yourself and to the Lord when this year started?

If you’re looking back on a year that holds some victories, rejoice and share it with someone else! But if you have utterly failed at reaching specific targets that God put on your heart, I suggest that you immediately put First John 1:9 into operation, which says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What a powerful verse to release us from condemnation of failure or non-performance!

The word “confess” is the Greek word homologia, and it means to say the same thing as God says. In other words, rather than debate with God about where you have failed, it’s time for you to get into agreement with God about your shortcomings. And when your confession is heartfelt, the Bible says that God is faithful and just to forgive you. The word “forgive” is the Greek word aphiemi, and it means to release, to let go, or to totally dismiss. In other words, if you’ve made a real heartfelt confession about where you have blown it, God promises that He won’t hold it against you. In fact, He’ll release you from it and send that failure as far away as the east is from the west (see Psalm 103:12). Not only will He forgive you and dismiss your failure, He’ll start with you all over again to win that victory you missed this past year!

Never forget that God is on your side, and He wants to see you victorious and burden-free! He just needs your heart agreement — a true acknowledgement of any failure or sin. The moment He has that, He will dismiss that failure or sin from you and release the resurrection power of Christ to help you achieve what He has put in your heart to accomplish!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I admit that I’ve failed to fulfill some of the things You definitely told me to do in the past year. I confess it, I admit it, and I walk free of it. You do not hold it against me, because I am making a heartfelt confession about it. In fact, You take my failure and remove it from me as far as the west is from the east! And Your resurrection power helps me pick up right where I am to start anew and to gain those victories that belong to You and that You long to impart to me! I thank You, too, for helping me reset the start button to gain new victories in these areas of my life

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God’s mercies over me are new each day. Therefore, each day is a brand-new opportunity to forget those things which are behind me as I press toward the prize of God’s calling that is drawing my attention to focus more and more upon Him. As I prepare my heart and mind to evaluate this past year, while giving attention to what God desires of me for the next year, I consider my ways and evaluate myself in the light of God’s Word. I trust in the Lord to reveal to me throughout the coming year how to stay on track with His plan for me. I receive fresh grace to do whatever it takes to discipline my body and mind, and to order my days so I don’t waste precious time. I am diligent and I am faithful; therefore, I abound with blessing and I live free of regrets!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

Have you made a spiritual inventory to see how well you did at keeping the commitments you made to the Lord at the beginning of this year? Perhaps it would be helpful for you to take the time to do this so you can be honest with God about where you did well and where you could have done better.
Denise and I help each other at this time of the year to see how well we fared on our spiritual commitments. Whom do you have who can help you honestly look at your commitments and help hold you accountable?
What other steps do you need to take to put the past behind you and to get ready for the new year?

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Isn’t it amazing how quickly the excitement of new possessions can wear off? Within days of getting all those gifts at Christmas as a young boy, I was already dreaming of what I would receive for my birthday — which was a full seven months away! All those items I saw in the Sears catalog that I didn’t get for Christmas were so fresh in my mind that I nearly ignored the toys I had received as I longed for the next round of gifts.

But the Bible tells us to be thankful ! In First Thessalonians 5:18, Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God concerning you.” My parents had to teach me to be thankful. Sometimes they had to literally sit down with me, explain the cost of gifts, the sacrifices that were made to purchase them, and the importance of not being greedy. God blessed me with such wonderful parents who took the time to teach and instruct me on the most basic and elementary principles of life.

As a mature adult, the concept of “thankfulness” is deeply ingrained into my being because my parents so deeply planted it in my character. There is nothing I have that I did not receive, and I am thankful for everything God has sent into my life and for every partner who has helped us fulfill our heavenly mission. I have so much to be grateful for!

In First Thessalonians 5:18, we are instructed to be thankful “in everything.” This phrase in the Greek language is en panti, and it means in every detail, even in the smallest way. One expositor has translated it to read, “In every circumstance, be thankful….”

The word “thankful” is the present imperative active tense of eucharisteo, a compound of eu and charis. The word eu denotes good or well and always denotes a good inner disposition or a good feeling about something. The word charis is the Greek word for grace. When compounded, the new word paints the picture of one who is so grateful that he has an outpouring of overwhelmingly good feelings about everything. Regardless of what is happening — or not happening — he has decided to be thankful.

Let’s be honest. Perhaps things could be better than they are in your life right now. However, you probably will admit that they are not as bad as they could be! The truth is, you have a lot to be thankful about — even about the smallest details of your life.

Years ago I made a decision that when anyone asks me how I’m doing, I would answer by simply saying, “THANKFUL!”

Thankfulness is a choice. You and I must turn our eyes toward the good in our lives and away from the foul things that try to hold our focus — and choose to be grateful. It’s not that we’re hiding our heads in the sand concerning those bad things; we’re simply obeying the Lord as we focus on what is good, and we display an attitude of thanksgiving “in everything.” Paul said, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Could Paul’s words be any clearer? God wants you and me to be thankful — not resentful, not forgetful, but thankful. Really, if we consider all the terrible things that could have come about in our lives but didn’t, we can find a lot of reasons to be grateful. God has spared you and me from so much — and it is His will that we maintain a consistent, thankful attitude for the goodness He has shown us.

So I encourage you to make the decision today to put away all the bad memories of the past and start purposefully focusing on the good things God has done in your life. Even if you think life has been tough, I assure you that it has not been as tough as it could have been. God has been good to you. The best thing you can do when someone asks you how you’re doing is to respond, “I’m thankful !” Keep this attitude of thankfulness coming out of your mouth at all times, and speak it with conviction. I promise you, that one practice alone will change the way you see life!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I’ve been through rough times, but the truth is, those times could have been a lot rougher. When I consider what You have brought me through — and the place of peace and rest You’ve brought me into — I can only say THANK YOU. Please forgive me for often quickly forgetting the good things You have done for me, and help me cultivate this attitude of thankfulness in my heart, for this is Your will in Christ Jesus concerning me!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that I have a lot to be thankful for. Yes, it’s true that there are things I need and desire, but compared to where I used to be and how I experienced lack, I am living in the land of superabundance. I will not be forgetful of the good things God has done for me. I purpose to keep a grateful attitude for all the things He has done and is doing for me, both great and small. And when others ask me how I’m doing, I will confidently answer them, “THANKFUL!”

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

I challenge you to pray this prayer: “Heavenly Father, when I consider all that You have done for me, to be honest, there have been times when I’ve been a real ingrate — complaining about this, that, and the other thing, forgetting all the good things You have performed in my life. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Your grace, I cannot imagine what my life would have Lord, I ask You to help me to make a list of all the ways that You have been good to me. I will post it in a place where I am regularly reminded of it to help me maintain an attitude of thankfulness.” Now make that list!
If you have a tendency to display a lack of thankfulness, it’s time for you to reprogram your brain — that is, to renew your mind — to be grateful for all the good things God has done for y How are you going to start the process of renewing your mind to recognizing more of God’s goodness in your life?
Have you ever met a person who is truly thankful for all he has in his life? How does his attitude of thankfulness affect you? Does it have a positive impact on you and make you wish you could be different?

…Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
— Matthew 13:52

Are leftovers a part of your after-Christmas holiday tradition? After you read today’s Sparkling Gem, you may never look at leftovers the same way again!

When I was young, we always enjoyed a smorgasbord of leftovers each year after Christmas — which included turkey sandwiches smeared with lots of mayonnaise, warmed-up meatloaf spread with ketchup, and mashed potatoes covered with melted butter. Of course, we also had an array of leftover biscuits, cake, pie, and other desserts to choose from that hadn’t been consumed on Christmas Day.

The truth is, we had all kinds of leftovers the day after Christmas — and we sometimes had them for days after Christmas! But we eventually got tired of eating the same old thing, and it became time to clean out the refrigerator and start eating something fresh and new.

Oh, how my mother prepared for Christmas Day! When I was young, I didn’t appreciate all the food she prepared each year for Christmas; I simply consumed it. But now that our own family has grown so large — and I see what it takes to feed a small multitude — I have such gratitude for all the cooking my mother did for us when we were younger. And I’m so thankful to Denise and our daughters-in-law for the luscious meals they prepare for our Christmas celebrations. Even my son Paul jumps into the fray, smoking a lamb that is given to us by a church member each year at Christmas.

It takes time and effort to feed people — and to feed them food prepared from both old recipes and new recipes makes eating more interesting. Most everyone appreciates eating food prepared from old, tried-and-true recipes as well as trying foods that are new.

This makes me think of Matthew 13:52, where Jesus said, “…Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Notice that in this verse, a scribe — or a teacher — is pictured as “bringing forth of out of his treasure things new and old.” The word “new” is from the Greek word kaina, and it refers to something absolutely new and previously untried. The word “old” is palaia, and it refers to that which is old and has existed for a long time. Although this verse is talking about teachers bringing forth new revelation versus old revelation, I like the example of leftovers and new recipes to further make this point.

There are some teachings, like good leftovers, that are always tasty and enjoyable — and a common staple around the dinner table. But there also comes a time when you want to eat something new. The good news is that the Kingdom of Heaven is full of wonderful established teaching — and it is also overabounding with new, fabulous teaching that you’ve never heard or tried before. A good teacher — like a good food-preparer — will bring out new and old recipes for a family to enjoy! Good “leftovers” are always enjoyable, but your spiritual taste buds will eventually cry out to eat something new!

I know from personal experience that as we give our attention to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit adds new insights to the old ones and causes our understanding of God and His Word to be marvelously expanded. I relate well to the scribe described in Matthew 13:52. Many of the Greek word studies you read in this book are old to me; yet so many of them are brand new. Often I think that I have unearthed every gem that can possibly be found in a particular verse of the New Testament. But then I study that same verse again, and the Holy Spirit wonderfully opens my eyes and illuminates my mind to show me truths that I previously didn’t see!

So let’s keep our minds and eyes open for the Holy Spirit to provide not only great leftovers, but also new teachings that we haven’t learned yet. Let us remain hungry for new teachings and new revelation from the Word of God that we’ve never attained to before. The old, familiar truths of Scripture are always healthy and good, but there is a cry in the spirit of man to know more, to attain more, and to taste new levels of the Lord’s goodness. So let’s enjoy the leftovers, but let’s also press forward to attain new truths in the spiritual feast the Lord has waiting for us. We must never forget Psalm 34:8, which says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good…”!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I am hungry for fresh revelation of the Word of God. How could I be anything but thankful for the foundational truths that I’ve already received, yet my spirit is crying out to know You better and to receive revelatory truths that unveil aspects of Your character and Your ways yet unknown to me. I ask You to help those who teach me to be like a good scribe, knowing when to emphasize the old and when to introduce the new. Then You will equip them to bring forth new truths that my spirit is crying to hear and to know.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly confess that I am grateful for every teaching I’ve ever received and that each one has added to the foundation of my life. But I am hungry for more of the Lord. I want more of His Word, more of His revelation. I want to learn new things, based on the teaching of the Bible, that will feed my spirit in a way I’ve never been fed before. I thank God for my pastor and for those teachers who teach me — but I purpose to keep an open ear and an open heart so I can also receive fresh heavenly revelation from the Spirit of God to feed to my spirit!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

What is the primary source of spiritual teaching for your life? Do you hear the same thing over and over again, or do you find that you are growing in your knowledge of the Word of God?
Who is the primary person God uses to feed you spiritual food — whether leftover food you’ve heard before or new teaching that is new to your ears? That person works very hard to prepare spiritual meals for y Have you taken time to thank that minister for the spiritual meals he or she prepares for you?
As I grow older in the Lord, I have realized the great impact people have had on my spiritual life when I was younger. I have felt the responsibility to communicate with them and thank them for the impartation they made in my life. Who are the people who have imparted spiritual truth into your life? Have you ever thanked them for all the time, prayer, work, and diligent effort they invested to spiritually feed you?

…Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
— Matthew 6:33

“Merry Christmas!”

Those were the first words we heard on Christmas Day when we were children. We were awakened when Dad would turn on the floodlights attached to his Kodak camera, and all three Renner kids would crawl out of bed in our pajamas, rubbing our eyes in the bright lights that were glaring down on us as Dad filmed practically every movement of the Christmas morning for us.

Today we still have those films that Dad took of all three of us as we scampered from our beds into the living room to begin the process of opening gifts. Those films are now decades old, and I am thankful for the thoughtfulness of my father to film those precious memories, which otherwise would have been completely lost. Now that they’ve been transferred to a digital format, we can enjoy them for years to come. Dad is in Heaven, but these are his treasures that he left for the rest of us to watch and enjoy.

Every so often, we watch those films and remember our childhood Christmases and the gifts that Daddy and Mother gave us. The greatest gift my parents ever gave me on Christmas was a study Bible — a very nice, leather-lined study Bible. I was so proud of it! They hit it right on the target when they gave me that Bible, as my heart was aflame to know more about God’s Word at that time in my life. I still have that Bible today. Dad wrote his favorite Bible verse right in the front of the inside cover. There, in Dad’s handwriting, it says, “…Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Dad would quote this verse to us kids all the time. He wrote it in birthday cards, in letters that he occasionally wrote to us when we were at the university — and, of course, in the front covers of every Bible he ever gave to each of us. He really believed this verse, and he wanted to embed it in our souls.

Dad quoted Matthew 6:33 so often, and wrote it to us so many times, that one day I decided to pick up my Greek New Testament and look at the word “seek” to see what it means. It is the present imperative active form of the Greek word zeteo, and it depicts a constant attitude to actively and constantly seek for a thing.

Furthermore, zeteo is a command. Jesus was literally commanding us to actively and constantly be seeking after the Kingdom of God. Jesus promised that if we did, everything else we needed in life would be supplied to us. No wonder Dad wanted to get that verse into our hearts! He knew that if we got this right, everything else would be okay in our lives.

So I want to ask you: Are you obeying Jesus’ command to habitually, constantly seek the Kingdom of God? Are you on-again, off-again in your spiritual passion, or would Jesus say you are consistent in your seeking of Him and His Kingdom? All those other things you need to be supplied for life will come if you’ll place Jesus first and never stop seeking the purposes of His Kingdom. Jesus truly is the Gift that keeps on giving!

This is Jesus’ promise to you — and these are my words of encouragement to you on this Christmas Day!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I don’t want to be on-again, off-again in my pursuit of You. But as You command, I want to be habitual and constant in the way I seek You and Your Kingdom. There are many other things I need in life, but You promised that if I seek Your Kingdom first, all these other things will eventually be added unto me. So today I ask You to help me focus on the Kingdom of God and to keep my focus there for as long as I live on this earth!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that nothing in the world is more important to me than seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. God’s Word promises that if I’ll remain focused and constant in seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first, before anything else, He’ll make sure every other need is met in my life. So I confess by faith that starting today — and for every day following this new commitment — I am going to make God’s Word, His Kingdom, and His righteousness the chief priority in my life.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

What do you do on a practical basis to seek the Kingdom of God above everything else in your life? For example, do you start your day out by reading the Bible and praying? That might be a good way for you to start this important commitment if you’re not already doing it.
I start my day with a cup of coffee and my Bible in a secluded part of our house, where I read the Word as the highest priority of my day. I suggest that you consider doing this. Would you be willing to give this schedule a try?
Do you have any other ideas about how you can make the Kingdom of God and His righteousness the first priority in your life? Why don’t you think it over and see what the Lord shows you that would work best?

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
— Philippians 2:1

One of our Renner holiday traditions when I was young was visiting some close, lifelong friends to our family on Christmas Eve. It was a Christmas tradition to gather with this family every Christmas Eve at their home until the Pope finished giving his annual Christmas message on television. Then we said our farewells to everyone for the evening.

I never understood why we waited for the Pope, seeing that we were such staunch Baptists. But that message from the Pope was the signal to the Renner family that Christmas Eve was coming to a close. After that speech, we piled into the car to head home, go bed, and eagerly wait to wake up the next morning so we could gleefully open our gifts.

When I think of those Christmas memories, I think of friends, family, and entire evenings of fellowship shared at our close friends’ home. I can remember those moments like they just happened last week. They were tender moments shared with our Christian friends — singing Christmas carols, fellowshipping around church events, and thanking God we knew the Lord and enjoyed fellowship with others in Christ.

I can remember driving home on Christmas Eve from our friends’ home and passing a bar along the way that looked like it was packed with people. I felt so sad for people who went to a bar on such a special night. They obviously did not know Christ. This left such sadness in my heart — and such thankfulness that my parents had led me to Christ at an early age.

Christmas Eve was a special night when our family gathered with God’s people and fellow- shipped around His Word. All of this was a part of what Christmas Eve meant to me. This makes me think of Philippians 2:1, which says, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

This verse speaks of the “fellowship” of the Spirit — that is definitely what we enjoyed with our friends each Christmas Eve. The word “fellowship” is the Greek word koinonia, which describes something that is mutually shared. We mutually shared our common church membership; we mutually shared our faith in Christ; and we mutually shared our joy of the holiday and of our special night together. From beginning to end, Christmas Eve with the Renners and their close family friends was a night of koinonia and one of the greatest memories of my life.

I encourage you to find a way to share Christmas Eve with people who are close to you. Let it be a time when you mutually rejoice and spend time together. It is such a special night, so don’t let it slip by with you being alone. There are others out there, like you, who are longing to spend time with someone on that special evening!|

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for the fellowship of the Spirit that we have with other Christians who mutually share faith with us. What a fellowship, what a joy, and what a blessing — to build years of fellowship and Christian traditions with other believers. I ask You to help me start thinking about how to build Christian traditions for myself and my own family, especially in moments like Christmas Eve. I am so thankful for fellow believers who share the same hope I possess. I’m so grateful we can spend cherished times together in our mutual love for the Lord and for each other.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I will work on building traditional Christian events for myself and my family in order to deepen the true significance of this beautiful season. God has given me friends that I can spend those moments with — and if I haven’t developed those friends yet, I declare by faith that I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and begin to connect with other Christian believers. I need this, my family needs this — and I will look for ways to do it.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

Do you have a Christmas Eve tradition? If so, what is it and how long have you been doing it?
Do you spend time with other believers — or with family — on Christmas Eve? What do you do? How do you spend that time together to make it really meaningful?
Do you open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Differ- ent families have different traditions — what are your traditions?